Improvement in clover-machines



5 Sheets-Shegt 1.

D. WHITING.

. Clover Huller.

No. 103,806. Patented May 31, 1870.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2. n. wenme,

Clover Huller.

- No. 103,806. Patented May 31, 1870.

7122121 656? Q/WIWZWZ 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. D. WHITING.

Clover Hullr.

No. 103,806. Patented May31, 1870.

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Clover Huller.

Patented May 31, 1870.

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' 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. D. WHITING.

Clover Hul ler.

' .Patented May 31, 1870.

InVrzZFr I I I y "7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID WHITING, OF ASHLAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLOVER-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 103,806, dated May 31,1870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID WHITING, of Ashland, Ashlan d county, Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Glover-Machines;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of my invention, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, forming apart of this specification, and to the lettersof-refer ence marked thereon, of which drawing- Figures 1 and 2 areelevations, showing the two sides of mymachine. Fig. 3 is a rear-endview of the same. Fig. at is a detail plan of the separating mechanism.Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the machine. Fig. 6 is a plan,showing the manner of securing the slats in the separatin g-apron belts.Figs. 7 are side and end views of the portion shown in plan in Fig. 6.Fig. 8 is a side view of one of the separating-apron slats, showing modeof notching the same. Fig. 9 is a side view of the front end of the machne. showing the mode of gearing together the thrashing and hnllingcylinders. Fig. 10 v is a partial plan of the same. Figs. 11 are sideview and plan, showing the mechanism for drawing up the upperapron-roller. Figs. 12 are front and sectional side views of the mainbracket for the tightening mechanism for the apron-roller. Fig. 13 is anelevation of the tightening-screw, with nut and end block. Figs. 14 areplan, front, and rear views of the sliding journal-box for the shaft ofthe upper apron-roller. Fig. 15 is an elevation of the bracket for theshakershaft.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the construction andarrangement of machinery for thrashing, hnlling, and cleaningclover-seed, and in the construction of machinery for separating cloverheads or grain from the straw after it has been passed through thethrashing mechanism; and it consists in the combination of athrashing-cylinder with a slatted separating apron and slattedseparating-platform, and in the combination of a thrashing-cylinder anda hnlling-cylinder with a slatted separating-apron and slattedseparating platform, said separating platform extending under the wholeof the separating-apron, and the lower roller of said apron beingarranged immediately in the rear of the thrashing-cylinder, and the saidthrashin g-cyli nder being arranged immediately above and in front ofthe lnilling-cylinder, whereby the two cylinders are brought within aframe of moderate height and length, and the separating-apron is broughtup to the concave of the thrashing cylinder at a point directly abovethe hnlling-cylinder, so that the process of separation of the headsfrom the straw and of the delivery of the heads to the action of thehnlling-cylinder is commenced as soon as the straw is delivered from thethrashing-cylinder, thus making the machine more compact in constructionand greatly facilitating its operation.

My invention also consists in extending the belt from the horse-power,or other mechanism furnishing power to the machine, over both the pulleyon the shaft of the thrashing-cylinder and the pulley on the shaft ofthe hnllingcylinder, so that the same belt which communicates power tothe machine drives both the thrashing and the hullin g cylinders,whereby these two cylinders are made to act as regu lators or balancesto each other and to the power, so that if one of them be choked andclogged by over-feeding, or by wet tangled straw or heads, the otherwill still continue its rotation, and will thus keep up the power un-'til the clogged cylinder is again started, thus avoiding the difficultywhich is experienced with a short belt uniting the two cylinders, whichis very liable to run off in case anything clogs the rotation of thecylinder driven by said belt, and which causes the application of thewhole power to the driving-cylinder, and is liable to impart a dangerousvelocity to said cylinder before the machine can be checked.

My invention also consists in the combination of a slattedseparating-apron and a slatted separating-platform, constructed andarranged as before described, with a plane conveying-platform, laidlengthwise under the under side of the separating-apron, the severalparts being so arranged that the heads or grain which are separated fromthe straw fall through the separating-apron and platform onto theconveying-platform, and are drawn down to the hnlling-cylinder orcleaning mechanism by the slatted separating-apron, whereby theseparating-apron also acts as the motor for conveying the heads or grainto the hulling or cleaning mechanism, thus facilitating the movement ofthe heads or grain without the expense of an additional conveyer-apron,and simplifying the construction of the machine.

My invention also consists in the novel. mode of securing the slats ofthe separating-apron in the endless belts composing the sides of saidapron, whereby I avoid the use of any screws or rivets in forming saidcoi'lnection, or the weakening of the belts by diminishing theircross-section, and at the same time lessen the labor and cost ofconstruction, and make the apron much easier to repair in case the slatsare injured.

My invention also consists in the combination of a slattedseparating-apron and a slatted separatingplatform, constructed andarranged as before described, with an upper apron-roller, constructedwith drums for the apron-belts, and with circular disks of about thesame diameter as the apron-belt drums, arranged between the slats of theseparatingplatform, whereby the lateral adjustment of the upperapron-roller, which is required to keep the apron-belts properlystretched, may be effected without affecting the continuity of the se'iarating-platform, as the slats of the separatin g-platform and thedisks on the apronroller practically act together to form a slattedseparating-platfbrm to the extreme end of the apron.

My invention also consists in the improved construction of mechanism fordrawing up the upper apron-roller, for the purpose of tightening theseparating-apron, whereby I obtain a mechanism which is much moreconvenient in its operation, and of a more solid and stableconstruction, than any of the old form of tight eners.

My invention also consists in the novel construction and arrangement ofthe hopperframe, by which the heads are transferred from theconveying-platform to the hullingcylinder, said frame being so arrangedas to be easily removed, so as to afford ready access to thehulling-cylinder, and the back board of said frame being madeadjustable, so as to act as a valve, regulating the passage of the seedto the sieves for a second cleaning, when found desirable.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe its construction and operation.

In the annexed drawing, B B are the main sills of my machine, which reston the crosssills AA, and into which are mortised the uprights E O D.

The cross-pieces X X are secured between the uprights E O, and theside-boards I G H are secured against said uprights, and the cap-piece Fis secured by bolts to the tops of of said uprights.

The fan-box W extends back behind the uprights E, and the side-boards 2of the sievebox are secured to the inner sides of the uprights 0 D, asshown.

The brackets Q are bolted to the framepieces 0 X and the side-boards 1,and on them are journaled the shaft 9 of the hulling-cylinder, saidshaft being extended through the side-boards G, and having secured on itthe pulley P, as shown in Fig. 1, or thepinion 56, as shown in Fig.9,depending on whether the thrashing and hullin g cylinders are to bebolted or geared together.

Immediately above and in front of the hulling cylinder 13 is arrangedthe thrashingcylinder 10, the concaves 12 and 11 of said cylinders beingplaced nearly in contact with each other, as shown in Fig. 5, or theymay be placed in contact with each other, or the one concave may bemerged into the other for a short distance, so that the back of aportion of one concave should serve as a portion of the face of theother concave; but the construction shown is preferred.

The shaft 8 of the thrashing-cylinder 10 is extended through theside-boards Gr H, and is journaled on the brackets N, which are securedto the frame-pieces E and side-boards G.

The pulley M is secured on the shaft 8 of the thrashing-cylinder, andwhere the cylinders are to be geared together the pinion 57 is alsosecured on said shaft, as shown inFi g. 9.

The shafts 8 and 9 of the thrashing and hulling cylinders are botharranged in the circumference of a circle having its center at theshaft 1) of the lower apron-roller, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 9, fromwhich it is seen that said cylinders maybe readily geared together byjournaling the spur-wheel 58 on the lower apron-roller shaft, 1), whichcan be easily extended for this purpose, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, theonly change in the construction consisting in omitting one of the armsof the bracket N, as shown.

The cylinders, when geared together as shown, may be driven by a beltover a pulley, M, on the shaft of one of the cylinders; or adriving-shaft (laid either in the line of the cylinder-shafts andconnected with one shaft by a universal joint, or laid at right angleswith the cylinder-shaft and connected with it through bevel-gears and auniversal joint, if desired) may be used to communicate the power to themachine. i

Where both cylinders are to be driven by a belt, I extend the maindriving-belt R (see Fig. 1) over the pulley M on the thrashing-cylindershaft 8; thence under a tightening-pulley, O, secured in a bracket onthe side-board Gr; thence over the pulley I on the hulling-cylindershaft 9, so that the main belt It drives both cylinders, with theadvantages before stated.

Thetightening-pulley 0 may be made adjustable in position, so as totighten up the belt B when desired; or, if the belt It has a sufficientbearing-surface on the pulleys M and P to prevent slipping, the pulley 0could be dispensed with.

The frame'pieces J J of the separating mechanism are con tinuousirom oneend of the apron to the other, and are attached by pivot-bolts e c tothe rear uprights, D I), while their ends rest between the uprights O Cand the top pieces, F F, on the side-boards G G, and abut against theside-boards H H, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The lower apron-roller, I), is journaled in plates at a, secured on theframe-pieces J J, and the upper apron-roller, i 31 32, is journaled inthe front ends of the tightening-screws 29 29, (shown in Figs. 1, 2, and5,) said screws passin g through the standards 28 28 on the framepiecesJ J, and being adjusted by the jam-nuts 30 30, in a manner readily seen.

The separating-apron 18 19 consists of the two endless belts 18 18,which pass around drums 49 49 (see Figs. 4 and 5) on the apronrollers,and between which are secured the slats 19 19, as shown. These endlessbelts 18 18 are conveniently made of leather and the slats 19 of wood,and the ends of said slats are secured in or to the belts by cutting twolongitudinal slits, 71 71, in the belt, and by cutting the notches 52 5455 in the sides of the slat. The central part, 50, of the belt is thenraised up, and the end of the slat is put in between the parts 51 50 51of the belt, where it is secured in position by giving the slat aquarterturn, which brings the part 50 of the belt into the notch 52 ofthe slat. and the part 53 on the slat between the parts 51 51 of thebelt.

Various other materials could be used for the belts and slats than thoseherein described, and other modes of uniting the slats to the beltsmight be devised; but the construction described is preferred.

The heaters 48 48 43 are of an ordinary construction, and are arrangedin the frame-pieces J J, as shown, the side pieces d (I being secured tothe frame-pieces J J, in order to raise the cover of the separatingmechanism up above the beaters, and the hinged covers 0 0 being arrangedat suitable intervals, as shown in Fig. 2, in order to allow of easyaccess to the apron in case it becomes choked.

The knockers 24 24 are secured on the under side of the frame-pieces JJ, as shown in Fig. 5, and serve to shake the separating-apron as itpasses over them, in the same manner as the knockers under the Pittapron.

The separating-platform 25 25 consists of a series of separate slats, 2525, which are laid lengthwise under the slats 19 19 of theseparating-apron, where they are supported by cross-pieces 26 26, whichrest on cleats 27 27 on the frame-pieces J J, as-shown in Fig. 5.

Upon the shafti of the upper apron-roller are secured the circular disks31 31, which are arranged between the slats 25 25 of theseparating-apron, and'are held together and in position by the blocks 3232, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The conveying-platform S consists of a plane bottom, 21, strengthened bycross-cleats 22 22, and provided with side pieces, as shown, which isplaced directly under the under side of the separating apron 18 19,where it is supported by the cross-pieces 23 between the rear uprights DD, and by the support received by The hopper-frame T U consists of theinclined board T, which is secured on the triangular blocks U U, whichrest on the side.- boards 2 2 and against the uprights O G, and supportthe board T in the proper position to bring its upper edge just underthe conveying-platform S and its lower edge over the hulling-cylinder13.

The swing-board 14 is hinged to the back of the inclined board T, andcan be swung between the blocks U U, it being held in any desiredposition by a hasp, 16, provided with suitable holes, and shutting overa pin in the inclined board 15, which board, with the board 17, formsthe top of the sieve-box.

When it is desired to examine the hullingcylinder 13, the operatorslides back the conveying-platform S and raises up the swingboard 14,when the hopper-frame may he slid back along on the side-boards 2 2 andbetwe the side pieces 33, thus giving access to the hulling cylinder, asdesired.

The sieve-frame consists of the side pieces 33 33, which are united bythe cross-pieces 36 36, and between which are secured the sieves 34 3537. These sieve-sections are arranged as shown in Fig. 5, each sectionbeing arranged just in front of and below the preceding section, and asmall space being left between each cross-piece 36 and the section belowit, so that the upper surface of the sieves presents a series of offsetsor steps, as shown.

A large sieve, 38, of a mesh somewhat finer than the meshes of thesieves 34 35 37, is stretched under the whole of the sieve-frame, andserves to catch any chaff that mi ht pass through the upper sieves.

The rear end of the sieve-frame is supported by boxes 47 on the journalsof the cranks formed in the shaker-shaft Z, which shaft is journaled inbrackets Y, of the form shown in Fig. 15, which are secured to the sillsB and uprights O, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The front end of the sieve-frame is supported by swinging arms 39 39,which are pivoted to the side pieces 33, and are attached to the bolts4, which pass through the longitudinal slats 33 in the side-boards 2 2,(shown in detached view in Fig. 5,) and are secured by thumb-nuts on theoutside of the frame, as shown in Fig. 2.

The swinging chute-board 42 consists of a broad plane bottom with raisedside pieces, and is hung, at a small angle, directly under thesieve-frame by means of the swinging arms 40 40, which are pivoted tothe sides of the chute-board and to the bolts a n, which extend throughhorizontal slots 73 73 in the sideboards 2 2, (shown in detached view inFig.

5,) and are secured by thumb-nuts on the outside of the frame, as shownin Figs. land 2.

The swinging motion is imparted to the chute-board 42 by means of aconnecting-rod, 41, pivoted to the side of said board and to the sidepiece 33 of the sieve-frame, as indicated in Fig. 5.

The blast for blowing the chaff from the seed is produced by the fanVrevolvin g in the fan-box W, and is conducted to the sieves by thebottom board, 44, and the board 45, said board 45 being pivoted at itsrear end, and being supported at its other end by the links 46 46, whichare attached to bolts 19, passing through vertical slots in theside-boards I I, and secured by thumb-nuts on the outside of the frame,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that by moving the bolts 19 19 up or downthe position of the board 45 may be varied to regulate the amount ofblast to suit the condition of the seed on the sieves.

The elevator-screw 6 is arranged in a box, 43, at the lower end of thesieves, and serves to draw the tailin gs from the sieves out to theelevator-box K, where they are carried up by an endless elevator-belt ofan ordinary construction, and are discharged into the trough L, whichdischarges them between the upper and lower sides of theseparating-apron 18 19 onto the conveying-platform S, from whence theypass down over the hopper-board T to the hulling-cylinder 13. v

The pulleyo is secured on the thrashingcylinder-shaft 8, (see Fig. 2,)and a belt, 10, passes around it and the large pulley a; on the shaft ofthe fan V. A small pulley, y, is also secured on the fan-shaft, and acrossed belt, 2, passes around it and the pulley 1 on the shaker-shaftZ. The pulley 75 is secured to the other end of the shaker-shaft, andthe belt l passes around it and the large pulley 70 on the upperapron-roller shaft, 41. The pulleyj is secured on the apron-shaft 2',(see Fig. 1,) and a crossed belt, it, passes around it and the pulley a(see Fig. 2) on the shaft of the driving-pulley for the elevator-belt.The pulleys sand t are secured on the other end of the apron-shaft z,and a crossed belt, m, passes around the pulley t and the pulley 5 onthe elevator-screw, while a belt, r, is passed around the pulley s and apulley on the shaft of the middle beater, 48, as shown in Fig. 2. Thelower beater, 48, is driven by a belt, q, passing over a pulley on itsshaft and a second pulley on the shaft of the middle beater, 48, asshown in Fig. 2, and the upper beater, 48, is driven by a belt, 9,passing over a pulley on its shaft and a pulley on the other end of thei haft of the middle beater, 48, as shown in The ordinary form oftightener for the upper roller of the separating-apron (shown in Figs.1, 2, and 5) is not convenient to operate, as the jam-nuts 30 30 are noteasily accessible,

remedy which defects I use the improved construction of tightener shownin Figs. 11 to 14. In this construction the pieces59 are secured to theunder edges of the frame-pieces J, and the slots 60 are cut in saidpieces to pass the upper apron-roller shaft, i.

The main bracket 61 has a nut-cavity, 64, formed at its base, as shownin Fig. 12, and is secured to the frame-piece J, as shown in Fig. 11;and the guide-rod 63 is fastened at one end to the lower end of thebracket 61, and at the other end to the frame-piece J.

The journal-box 67 for the apron-roller shaft 1', has the square box 68formed at its side, and the front of said box is notched down into thecurved form 70, to admit the tightenin screw 62; and a flange with hole69 is formed on the lower side of said box, through which is passed theguide-rod 63. which acts to steady the journal-box.

The end of the tightening-screw 62 is secured in the end block 66, insuch a manner that it can revolve in but cannot draw out of said block,and the nut 65 is arranged 011 said screw, as shown.

To unite the parts, the apron-roller shaft 43 is passed through thejournal-box 67, and the end block 66 is passed through the hole 64, inthe bracket 61, and is dropped into the box 68 on the journal-box 67,where it is secured by a pin, 71, passing through the sides of the box68, above the block 66, as shown in plan in Fig. 11.

The nut 65 is of such a size as to come to a bearing on the flange 78around the rear end of the hole 64 in the bracket 61, from which it isseen that, by turning up the screw 62 by a wrench or lever inserted inthe eye formed at its end, the apron can be tightened up as desired.

Having thus fully described the construction of my machine, itsoperation will be readily seen.

The straw is fed in over the feed-board 7 to the thrashing-cylinder 10,which, with its concave, is armed with coarse spikes, and acts to thrashthe heads from the straw,and tothrow the heads and straw up onto theseparatingapron 18 19 and platform 25.

From an examination of the separating-apron and platform in plan, asshown in Fig. 4, it is seen that they form, when combined, a coarsesieve, the upper part of which (the apron) is constantly shaking, so asto separate the heads from the straw, and that, as the heads becomeseparated from the straw, they fall through the apron and platformeither directly onto the hulling-cylinder 8 or onto theconveying-platform S, where they are dragged along to the acts to hullthe seeds from the heads and to throw both out onto the sieve 34.

As the seeds and chaff are worked down the sieves 34 35 37 by the motionof the sieveframe, the seeds pass through the sieves 34 35 and lowersieve, 38, onto the chute-board 42, and it is readily seen that, asthese seeds and chaff pass over the offsets of the sections of the uppersieves, they are subjected to a full blast of air coming out between thecrosspieces 36 and, the sections just below them,

the effect of which is to blow the light chaff away from the heavierseed, and to allow the seeds to pass down through the sieves, thusfacilitating the cleaning of the seeds.

The seed is shot by the board 42 into along box placed under themachine, at the end 7 6 of the chute-board. (Not shown in drawing.)

When it is desired to run the seed through the cleaning mechanism asecond time the seed is thrown up onto the top 17 of the sievebox, andthe swing-board 14 is set so as to leave a proper space between it andthe inclined board 15, to allow of the passage of the seed at the properrate, when it will pass down onto the sieves in a manner readily seen.

The operation of the heaters, elevator-screw, and elevator and blast-panwill be fully understood by persons skilled in the art of thrashing andseparating from the foregoing description of the construction of themachine.

Having thus fully described my improved machine, what I claim therein asnew and of my invention, and what I desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-- 1. The combination of the thrashing-cylinder 10, slattedseparatingapron 19 18 19, slatted separating-platform 25 25, and thelower apron-roller, b 49, said apron-roller being arranged immediatelyin the rear of the thrashing-cylinder, and said slattedseparating-platform extending up to the lower inner end of theseparating-apron, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

2. The combination of the slatted separating-platform 25 25, slattedseparating-apron 19 18 19, lower apron-roller, b 49, thrashingcylinder10, and hulling-cylinder 13, said thrashing-cylinder being arrangedimmedi-' ately above and in front of the hulling-cylinder, and saidapron-roller being arranged immediately behind the thrashing-cylinder Hand directly above the hulling-cylinder, and the said slattedseparating-platform extending up to the lower inner end of theseparatingapron, substantially as is herein specified.

3. Extending the main driving-belt R over both the pulley M on thethrashing-cylinder shaft 8 and the pulley P on the hulling-cylindershaft 9, so that said belt serves as the means for driving bothcylinders as well as for communicating the power to the machine, as isherein specified.

4. The combination of thrashing-cylinder 10, hulling-cylinder 13, theslatted separatingapron 18 19, slatted separating-platform 25, and planeconveying-platform S, the several parts being arranged and operatingsubstantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. The slat 19, provided with the notch 52 and with or without thenotches 54, 55, when used in combination with the apron-belt 18,provided with the loop 50, substantially in the manner and for thepurpose specified.

6. The combination of the slatted separating-apron 18 19, slat-tedseparating-platform 25, and adjustable apron-roller i 31 32, providedwith the apron-belt drums 49 49 and the circular disks 31 31, arrangedbetween the slots 25 25 of the separating-apron, as is hereinbeforespecified.

7. The conveying-platform S, when so constructed and arranged as to bereadily slid back from its ordinary position under the separating-apron18 19, to allow of the turning up of the separating mechanism, as ishereinbefore specified.

8. The combination of the main bracket 61, provided with nut-cavity 64,with inner flange 78, tightening-screw 62, with nut 65 and end block 66,and journal-box 67, with side box 68, the several parts beingconstructed and arranged as and for the purpose specified.

9. As a means of steadying the journal-box 67, in the combinationspecified in preceding clause, the guide-rod 63, extending from theframe-piece J through the hole 69 in the lower flange of the journal-box67 to the main bracket 61, as and for the purpose specified.

10. The combination ofthe hopper-board T and triangular blocks U U, saidboard and March, 1870.

v DAVID WH1TING.- Witnesses:

M. G. Gnosscnr, M. O. GOUOHER.

